Friday, February 9, 2007        Edition: #3464
Sheeters ALWAYS Prosper!

BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
TODAY “Playboy” magazine’s MARCH issue hits newsstands, with a cover shot of Mariah Carey in a skimpy, flesh-colored bathing suit and more pics plus an interview inside . . . TOMORROW the 4 sons of reggae legend Bob Marley are staging the “Smile Jamaica” concert event in Nine Miles, Jamaica to mark the 62nd anniversary of their father’s birth (and the erosion of their inheritance after 25 years) . . . There’s lots more awards SUNDAY besides the “Grammys” – the annual “Writers Guild Awards” for movies & TV will be handed out in LA, with “Grey’s Anatomy”, “The Sopranos, and “24” among nominees . . . At the 34th annual “Annie Awards” for film & TV animation in Glendale CA, “Cars” and “Flushed Away” look set to dominate, with 9 nominations each . . . And also SUNDAY at the annual “BAFTA Awards” (stands for British Academy of Film & Television Arts) in London, “The Queen” leads nominations for the UK equivalent of the Oscars with 10, including a ‘Best Actress’ nod for Helen Mirren; followed closely by “Casino Royale” with 9 nominations, including a ‘Best Actor’ nomination for Daniel Craig . . . SUNDAY seldom seen Canadian actress Margot Kidder (the original ‘Lois Lane’ in “Superman” movies) guests stars on “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC/Global), playing star Sally Field’s ‘wayward friend’ . . . Online retailer Amazon.com is set to begin testing a movie download service that won’t require a computer but you will need a TiVo digital recorder, which will allow the movies to be played immediately on your TV (now someone’s thinkin’!) . . . Think those “Survivor: Fiji” contestants are a tad on the ‘pretty’ side? Host Jeff Probst has revealed that only 1 contestant (Gary Stritesky) actually filled out an application and applied – the rest were recruited! . . . And the residents of the Serbian village of Zitiste are sick-to-death of their hometown only being famous for flooding, so they’ve decided to erect a life-size statue of – ‘Rocky Balboa’ (if the likeness of a has-been 60-year-old punch-drunk pugilist won’t suck in tourists, what will?).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Buckcherry – TONIGHT they perform “Everything” on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC/A Channel).
• Don Henley – TONIGHT the Eagles singer/songwriter will be honored as the 2007 “MusiCares Person of the Year” for both his musical achievements & his philanthropy at the annual gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
• Gwen Stefani – TODAY she’s on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CityTV).
• Keith Urban – TOMORROW he performs 2 songs on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) during his first-ever appearance on the show. Forrest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”) is the host.
• Mary J Blige – TONIGHT the multiple Grammy Award nominee guest-stars on “Ghost Whisperer” (CBS/CTV), playing a high school cheerleading coach.
• Michael Jackson – In his latest attempt to relaunch his career, he’s reportedly turning to UK pop maestro Simon Fuller (“American Idol” creator; ex-Spice Girls manager). There have reportedly been several ‘secret meetings’, including a face-to-face conference in Las Vegas LAST WEEKEND. In truth, James Brown likely has more of a chance at a comeback.
• Paul McCartney – Here we go again! A new report claims he’s now set to offer estranged wife Heather Mills a $50-million divorce settlement. An insider says ‘war weariness is setting in’.
• Willie Nelson – SATURDAY he’ll be joined by his “Dukes of Hazzard” co-star Jessica Simpson at a Dallas TX charity concert where the top ticket costs $1,000. Proceeds got to college scholarships for artistically-gifted students.

49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS:
SUNDAY live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles (CBS/Global). A few highlights …
• The show kicks off with the much-hyped reunion of The Police, performing “Roxanne”.
• Other scheduled performers include Beyoncé; Carrie Underwood with Rascal Flatts; Christina Aguilera; Dixie Chicks; Gnarls Barkley; John Mayer with John Legend & Corinne Bailey Rae; Ludacris; Mary J Blige; and Shakira with Wyclef Jean.
• The ‘My Grammy Moment’ competition winner performs live with Justin Timberlake.
• Chris Brown, Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson perform during a tribute to male R&B artists.
• Nominations are led by Mary J Blige with 8; followed by Red Hot Chili Peppers with 6; and Danger Mouse, Dixie Chicks, James Blunt, John Mayer, composer John Williams, Prince, producer Rick Rubin, and Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas with 5 apiece.
• Booker T & The MGs, the Doors, the Grateful Dead, and folk singer Joan Baez are among those receiving a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

TODAY’S MOVIE OPENINGS:
• “Hannibal Rising” ( R-Rated Horror Thriller ): In this prequel to the previous 3 films (“The Silence of the Lambs”-1991; “Hannibal-2001; “Red Dragon”-2002), a series of pivotal events transform ‘Hannibal Lecter’ (now played by French actor Gaspard Ulliel) from a young boy in war-torn Lithuania to a serial killer with a hunger for human flesh. Co-stars Rhys Ifans & Li Gong. Finally, Anthony Hopkins said ‘no’ to reprising the role he’s most famous for. Get the creepy music and SFX here …
NET: http://www.hannibalrising.com/
• “Norbit” ( PG-13 Romantic Comedy ): Eddie Murphy stars as a mild-mannered guy who meets the girl of his dreams (“Crash” hottie Thandie Newton), but to be with her he needs to first dump his extremely huge fiancée, also played by Murphy in a fat suit and in drag. Hmm, sound like his dress-up roles as ‘The Klumps’ in “The Nutty Professor”? Is this anyway to follow up a “Golden Globe” for “Dreamgirls”? Trailer is here …
NET: http://www.meetnorbit.com/
    
OFF THE RAILS:
Model train-maker Merton has unveiled a display at the “International Toy Fair” in Nuremberg, Germany that has visitors doing a double take. In an attempt to inject some humor into the hobby, their display includes tiny little cops raiding brothels, a miniature nudist beach, a waitress wearing only an apron & stockings … and a couple of lascivious pole-dancers. (Perfect birthday gift for your 12-year-old son!)
– Reuters

STOP, LOOK & QUIT LISTENING:
New York state senator Carl Kruger has introduced a bill that would impose a $100-fine for crossing the street in metropolitan areas ‘while distracted by an electronic device’.  Kruger says the idea is to eliminate what he calls ‘iPod oblivion’ – pedestrians who are unaware because they’re listening to MP3 players. (If this passes, you could get one fine for downloading a tune illegally and then another one for walking around listening to it.)
– UPI

SECRET ROMANTICS?
Men enjoy romantic comedies as much as women, according to new research from scientists at the University of Kansas. Professor Richard Harris conducted a study of dating couples and found that, even though men complain about watching so-called ‘chick flicks’, they afterward admit to liking them. Surprisingly, when the report dove even deeper, it also found that men preferred romantic, mushy scenes more than raunchy ones. (That’s cuz they were interviewed coming out of theaters … with their girlfriends.)
– AP

BS LAW & DISORDER:
• In Scotland, a 39-year-old Dundee man has lost his driver’s license for 6 months and been fined for careless driving. His crime … speeding at 70 mph during rush hour while shaving in his rearview mirror. His job … Professional Safety Adviser.
• In Alaska, a 43-year-old has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for misrepresenting himself as a hunting & fishing guide. Among his many screw-ups: Setting himself on fire while trying to light a camp stove; failing to figure out which was the front end of a raft; and taking clients to remote destinations … and leaving them there!
• In Georgia, a 41-year-old father is facing 5 years in federal prison after admitting in Atlanta court that he forced his 3-year-old son & 18-month-old daughter to eat soup laced with hot peppers, lighter fluid and prescription drugs. Why? A depraved and ill-thought-out attempt to extort money from the Campbell Soup Co. Fortunately, the kids have fully recovered.
• In England, a Birmingham woman & her lover have been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison for hiring a hitman to cap her ex-husband, using money … from their divorce settlement!

DID YOU KNOW?
The harmonica is the most popular musical instrument in the world.

THE BULL SHEET 02.09.07

TODAY’S CELEBIRTHDAYS . . .
1936 [71] Stompin’ Tom Connors, Saint John NB, Canadian icon (“The Hockey Song”) who’s written more than 300 tunes and recorded some 40 albums

1943 [64] Joe Pesci, Newark NJ, movie actor (“The Good Shepherd”, Academy Award-“Goodfellas”)

1945 [62] Mia Farrow (Maria de Lourdes Villers), LA CA, movie actress (“The Omen”, “Rosemary’s Baby”)/mother of 13/Woody Allen’s ex-, Frank Sinatra’s ex-

1963 [44] Travis Tritt, Marietta GA, country singer (“Love of a Woman”, “Best of Intentions”)

1985 [22] David Gallagher, Queens NY, TV actor (‘Simon Camden’ on “7th Heaven” since 1996)

SATURDAY –
Golf great Greg Norman (‘Great White Shark’) is 52; Movie actress Laura Dern (“Jurassic Park”) is 40; TV actress Elizabeth Banks (“Scrubs”) is 33.

SUNDAY –
Movie actor Leslie Nielsen (“Scary Movie”) is 81; Movie actor Burt Reynolds (“Dukes of Hazzard”) is 71; Pop singer Sheryl Crow (“The First Cut Is the Deepest”) is 45; Movie/TV actress Jennifer Aniston (“The Break-Up”) is 38; Rock singer Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park) is 30; Pop singer/actress/driver-of-the-year Brandy (“Have You Ever?”) is 28; Pop singer Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) is 26.

TODAY’S BS REASONS TO PARTY . . .
• “Calgary Winterfest”, an annual celebration of the season through February 19th whose highlight has to be the ‘Human Curling Championships’, in which people are used as rocks.
NET: http://www.calgarywinterfest.com/
• “Develop Alternative Vices”, a day to change your habits and improve yourself.
• “Festival du Voyageur 2007”, Western Canada’s largest annual winter festival, celebrating the joie de vivre of the fur traders over the next 10 days in Winnipeg.
NET: http://www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca/
• “St Apollonia’s Day”, honoring the patron saint of dentists and those suffering from toothaches.

SATURDAY –
• “For the Birds Day”, a highlight of “Wild Bird Feeding Month”. (So check your cookbook for some yummy wild game recipes.)
• “International EA Sports Madden Challenge”, the 5th annual football videogame championship being played in Honolulu HI to coincide with the NFL’s “Pro Bowl” all-star game. 26 regional champs from the US and as far afield as Britain, Germany and China vie for the $100,000 grand prize. Among them is 21-year-old University of Toronto student Kris Newman who’s representing Canada.
NET: http://tinyurl.com/3cup2w

SUNDAY –
• “American International Toy Fair” the 2007 edition of the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere through Wednesday in NYC. More than 1,500 toymakers will show off the stuff we’ll be scrambling for this coming holiday season, including a new version of the classic toy ‘Mr. Potato Head’ … as ‘Spider-Man’. Yep, ‘Spider Spud’ is a follow-up to Hasbro’s ‘Darth Tater’.
NET: http://www.toyfairny.com/
• “Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day”, a day to forgive yourself for past screw-ups and get on with your life … loser.
• “Inventors Day”, celebrated on the anniversary of the birth of Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), considered one of the most prolific inventors in history with 1,093 patents to his name.
• “Pro Sports Wives Day”, recognizing the wives of all active and retired pro athletes, coaches & sports execs for their support in the $200-billion-plus sports entertainment industry.
NET: http://pub43.bravenet.com/news/3620626857/44822/1
They even have their own magazine …
NET: http://www.prosportswives.com/
• “Rejection Awareness Week”, to draw attention to people who’ve taken a chance on love and had their hearts stomped on.
• “Satisfied Staying Single Day”, recognizing the single lifestyle as being a valid choice. With Valentine’s Day coming up, think of the money you’ll save on flowers and candy!
NET: http://tinyurl.com/yq7v6y
• “Vatican City Independence Day”, honoring the formation of one of the world’s smallest countries in 1929.
• “World Marriage Day”, celebrated annually on the 2nd Sunday of February to honor all spouses as head of the family, the basic unit of society.

THIS DAY IN SHOW BIZ . . .
1893 [114] Artist model ‘Mona’ slowly disrobes during a beauty contest at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France … thereby creating the ‘Striptease’

TODAY’S MUSIC EVENT . . .
1964 [43] Some 73 million viewers tune in to watch the first appearance by The Beatles on CBS-TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show”

TODAY’S FIRSTS . . .
1895 [112] ‘Volleyball’ invented by YMCA director William Morgan in Holyoke MA (the game was originally called ‘Mintonette’)

1895 [112] 1st ‘College Basketball Game’ as Minnesota State School of Agriculture trounces Hamline College ‘Porkers’ 9-3 (wow, heart-stopping action!)

1966 [41] 1st ‘NHL Expansion’ announced (to 6 American markets – LA, Minnesota, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St Louis)

TODAY’S RECORD . . .
1992 [15] World’s ‘Fastest Yodeller’ records 22 tones in a single second (Thomas School, Germany)

1997 [10] 1st NHL coach to win 1,000 games (Scotty Bowman, Detroit Red Wings)

COMING UP . . .
[Mon] Clean Out Your Computer Day
[Mon] Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
[Tues] Read to Your Child Day
[Tues] Get A Different Name Day
[Tues] 27th Genie Awards
[Wed] Valentines Day
[Wed] 2007 Brit Awards
This Week Is … Consumer Protection Week
This Month Is … International Boost Self-Esteem Month

BULL’S BITS

BS SCREAM GEMS THAT WON’T GET MADE:
“The Messengers” topped the box office LAST WEEKEND and another fright flick, “Hannibal Rising”, opens THIS WEEKEND. But these won’t be opening anytime soon at a theater near you …
• “Jehovah’s Witness IV: I Know You’re Ignoring Your Doorbell”
• “Vampire Valedictorian”
• “Cap’n Crunch: Portrait of a Cereal Killer”
• “Invasion of the Craft Fair People”
• “The Eighties”

TOP SWAPS:
The week’s most requested music files online…
5. Fergie – “Fergalicious”
4. Nickelback – “Far Away”
3. DJ Unk – “Walk It Out”
2. Justin Timberlake – “My Love”
1. Jim Jones – “We Fly High”
– Big Champagne online music measurement.

BS PHONE STARTERS:
• What’s your little trick to calm a crying baby? (In her book “Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions”, Blythe Lipman suggests turning on a vacuum cleaner, hair-dryer or dishwasher.)
• What’s the best way to discipline kids? (65% of parents in a “Parenting” magazine poll say ‘time-outs’. Just 20% say ‘spank ’em’.)

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I don’t suffer from stress. I’m a carrier.

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: If you are left-handed and male, odds are greater that you are also THIS.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: A twin.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
He that knows little soon repeats it.